About Guyra
The following provide some back ground on Guyra, its festivals, its industries, average land values, climate, telecommunications, services, major projects and recreation facilities.
The Guyra district has been famous for its wool, beef and potatoes, and today these are still the mainstays of the region. However, new industries are evolving and these include aquaculture, cold climate flowers and bulbs, angora rabbit breeding for fur, metal manufacturing and electronics. The town has ADSL broad band high speed internet access available and this is facilitating the establishment of other businesses, which rely on global access. Guyra is growing. The town is showing strong positive growth, school enrolments are rising, a vibrant housing market exists, and preschools are booked out. Shire population is currently about 4400.
Festivals: Lamb & Potato Festival is held during the week prior to Australia Day in January each year.
Primary industries and business: Wool, prime lambs, cattle and potatoes. No extended trading hours available in Guyra or Tingha with most business opening 9:00am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday and 9:00am to 12 midday Saturdays. Some businesses open Sunday mornings.
Land Values: Quarter acre block $50,000 - $70,000 Two acre block $120,000 - $130,000 Blocks available in both council and privately owned subdivisions.
Sport: Golf, bowls, cricket, squash, tennis, rugby league and rugby union, soccer, swimming, polocrosse, snooker and fishing are all popular sports in Guyra.
Transport and Communication: Guyra is situated on the New England Highway, half way between Sydney and Brisbane. The Guyra Road runs East-West and is the major regional link between the coast (Coffs Harbour) and the Outback (Bourke). Almost the entire Shire has mobile phones coverage and the town of Guyra has access to ADSL broad band internet services.
Climate: Guyra has a mild climate with summer temperatures rarely exceeding 30 degrees and with sunny winter days with the possibility of the odd fall of snow.
Services: Guyra has excellent emergency facilities with a hospital, ambulance and one doctor. Other emergency services include volunteer fire brigade, SES and VRA. Kolora Homes caters for the elderly.
Media: The shire is serviced, with good reception, by five television channels. Radio is available from 2AD (Armidale), 2NZ (Inverell) and ABC services. The Guyra Argus is printed each week and daily papers from Armidale, Tamworth and Sydney are always available.
Community Groups: Choose from Rotary, Lions, CWA, Masonic Lodge, Neighbourhood Centre, Red Cross.
Churches: Guyra has six active churches including Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Uniting, Seventh Day Adventist and Calvary Life.
Major projects: Council has prepared, and is in the process of implementing its strategic plan for the Shire which is designed to set the direction of Council for the coming years and highlight what Guyra Shire wishes to achieve. In addition to this, the Guyra Tourism and Commerce Association is also implementing its business retention and expansion plan as well as its tourism plan for the district. Significant projects contained in these plans include, further improvements to the appearance of the town, greater promotion of the area, upgrade facilities at Mother of Ducks Lagoon and Rotary Park, maintain high standards of telecommunications, assist businesses to relocate to Guyra and existing businesses to expand, improve the condition of the rural road network and the successful Grow with Guyra campaign.
Recreation: The eastern end of the shire has Guy Fawkes National Park, Cathedral Rocks National Park and Native Dog Reserve. Several lagoons, Mother-of Ducks and Little Llangothlin are accessible to the public. Copeton Dam Recreation Area is in the extreme western border of the shire, providing fishing and aquatic sports. Most streams and rivers throughout the shire are stocked with trout while redfin, cod and yellow belly are found in Copeton Dam, providing good fishing. Guyra Bowling Club have restaurant facilities Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Rafters Restaurant is also open to the public Tuesday to Saturday nights. The Guyra Roadhouse at Guyra and Black Mountain Roadhouse have meals seven days a week. Guyra Historical Museum is open to the public on Wednesdays and Sundays and by appointment. Guyra Shire Library, Bradley Street, Guyra is open each week day and Saturday mornings. Ebor Falls: Situated at Ebor, these stepped falls are a spectacular sight, particularly during high rainfall. Malpas Dam: The water supply for the City of Armidale where sailing and rowing are permitted. Copeton Dam: Situated on the western extremity of the shire, there are provisions for camping, fishing and other water sports. Mother-of-Ducks Lagoon: Situated on the western side of Guyra. Picnic facilities, wildlife observation posts and nesting area for many birds are provided at the lagoon. Wildlife: Varies from dingoes and wild horses in the east of the shire to kangaroos, wallabies, fox, rabbit and hare throughout the whole shire. Platypi may be found in most streams as well as yabbies and fish. Most bird varieties including cockatoos, galah, parrots and the usual magpie, pee-wee and smaller birds. Most varieties of ducks, swan and other water birds can be seen at the Mother-of-Ducks Lagoon.
Water: The township of Guyra is promoted as "Top of the Range" and is the watershed, some rain falling in the township runs to the east coast while in other areas it runs west and inland. Guyra Shire is fortunate to have access to a spring fed water supply which provides ample supply to the town and has not been subject to any water restrictions in recent years, even in times of drought.
Contact details
Guyra Shire Council
02 6770 7100 (ph)
02 6779 1221 (fax)
council@guyra.nsw.gov.au
